🔗 Share this article

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that Healy was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

Once she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.

During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.